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Widows create strong community through nonprofit

By
Stephen Zenner
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Idell Watson, the founder of Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I), stands with Beverly Lyles, one of the first women to W.E.S. & I, at Lott Industries Inc. in Toledo. Lott Industries is where the group regularly meets. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

TOLEDO – 12 years ago, nothing could have prepared Idell Watson for the death of her husband after his body rejected a transplant. 

“After he passed, I cried for two years,” she said. “When I was around people, I made myself look like I was okay, but I was not okay.”

A few months into her grief, Watson turned to a pain management group for help. 

“There was a lot of people,” she said, but the sources of pain were diverse. 

“They were coming in talking about their issues with the insurance not working with them or the doctors not giving them the medicine, so I left out of there feeling heavier than I went in,” Watson said. The different sources of pain made Watson want to do something for the people in the group.

“It didn’t help me manage my pain any better,” she said. 

Idell Watson, the founder of Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I). Watson put a name to the group she wanted to create a year after her husband died, and had their first meeting two years after becoming a widow. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Search for community

“Out of my need, I did search the web,” said Watson and she did find groups for widows, “but not in Toledo; not like the group we have.” 

Eight years before her husband passed, in 2014, Watson received a vision.

“I had gotten a vision that I was going to lead women,” she said, and after talking with her pastor, she began to lead different groups in church. Ultimately, she said those initiatives fizzled out, but looking back, she sees how the vision was really referring to the community group she started for widows. 

There was another widow group that stipulated an amount of time you had to be a widow, and you also had to pay to be a part of it. 

“That right there was not the vision that I had,” she said. Instead she set out to make a group that cared for widows like Watson’s sister cared for her. 

“‘Everybody has to go back to their lives. I have to go home too,’” said Watson, recounting the words of her sister, who came up from Houston, Texas.

“‘But I can’t leave you sleeping on the couch, I can’t leave you not having a budget and knowing how things will work out.’ So she helped me with all of that.”

Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I) had its first meeting in 2016, two years after the death of Wesley James Watson, Idell’s husband. 

One of the 12

Every third Saturday of the month, from 1 to 3 p.m., women come to Lott Industries Inc. at 3350 Hill Ave. to eat, share feelings and hear from speakers. 

Beverly Lyles, one of the first attendees to Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I), sits in a conference room at Lott Industries Inc. in Toledo on Wednesday June 3, 2026. Lyles lost her husband after his body rejected a kidney transplant 27 years ago, and found W.E.S. & I to be incredibly helpful with people who understand what it’s like to lose a spouse. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“We brought a financial person in, we brought a lawyer in, we had Marcy [Kaptur] come in and talk about social security,” Watson said. 

Beverly Lyles, a good friend of Watson and one of the first attendees of the group, had already grieved her husband’s death for over a decade before W.E.S. & I even existed, but talked about the importance of having a community that can empathize with the death of a spouse. 

“When I’m there, I feel really good with the other widows who are going through what I went through and what I’m going through,” Lyles said. 

Faith, family and friends Lyles said were integral to the grieving process, but it was also important to have people who had experienced what she had. 

“Time will heal, or it can’t heal all wounds, but with me being with the other ladies,” Lyles said let her know she was not alone in what she had and was experiencing. 

Centered on community, not meetings

When Watson first started cultivating the group, she was just trying to meet the needs of widows she knew personally. 

They would talk, “not so much about coming to the group, but more about how are they doing, what they need. I would just advise them, you know. I’m here for you 24 hours.”

After losing someone so integral to their lives, Lyles and Watson both said there are things their husbands did they didn’t know about or didn’t know how to do. 

Idell Watson, the founder of Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I), wears a heart shaped necklace that reads “Special Mom.” Watson said kids are often overlooked after the loss of a spouse. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“He took care of everything. I didn’t have to pay no bills or anything, but I think one of the avenues that a widow goes into after losing her spouse is maybe you don’t know how to write a check out or how to take care of your finances,” Lyles said. Soon for Lyles she got behind on insurance payments, and asked for understanding. 

“There was two of us, but now it’s one,” she said. 

More recently, Watson said there was a younger widow, in her 30s, who lost her husband without life insurance, and that W.E.S. & I raised funds to help with the funeral. 

“Sometimes you can struggle and be okay, but I see a struggle…some of the ladies that’s not okay yet, you know, and it has been a day-by-day journey,” Lyles said.

The day-by-day journey is what W.E.S. & I is there for, regardless of whether members show up on an official meeting day.  

W.E.S. & I is open to all widows. To learn more about the organization, visit widowsempowered.org.

Providence Township trustees hear data center concerns

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Data center developers look for open land and access to electricity, water and highways. Providence Township is looking at zoning language to regulate data centers. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP – Preparing for the possibility of a data center continues to be a topic of conversation among Providence Township trustees.

With no zoning language to govern data centers in its books, Providence Township approved a one-year moratorium on April 15. Last month, they invited Waterville Township Trustee Toby Miller to share details on his township’s push to adopt a new M-3 zoning designation – and amend its M-2 and M-1 zoning language – rather than using a conditional use permit process put into place last year. 

“Waterville Township is the first effort to do a comprehensive macro look at ‘here’s the scope, here’s what we can do,’ what are the advantages and disadvantages? We’re waiting to see how the Waterville Township resolution is dealt with at the [county] planning commission…and see what they come back with, which may alter the Waterville Township plan,” Trustee Steve Kendall said during the June 3 meeting. “We’ve got the moratorium in place. The idea is to have the material behind that once that moratorium expires.”

Using a zoning change instead of a conditional use permit allows citizens the right of referendum, pointed out Jim Fischer, who serves as zoning inspector for both Providence and Waterville townships. A permit is considered an administrative process, and therefore not subject to referendum, he added. 

Resident Jeff Rice said he has concerns about shirt-tailing off of Waterville Township’s proposed zoning resolution language that will be reviewed by the Lucas County Planning Commission on June 24.

“If we were to adopt everything that they’re proposing to put in their book, you might as well hand the township keys to a data center,” Rice said. 

Instead, he suggested that trustees do their own research and put together a committee of residents to help.

“Any effort is not a waste of time, unless we find out it’s a done deal,” Rice said, expressing that he hoped trustees had not signed a non-disclosure agreement.

Resident Dan Holtz also came to the meeting with questions about data centers, and wanted to know whether the trustees are for or against such projects.

“I don’t think there’s anything good about this at all. We’ll work with what the law allows us to work with. We can work with the tools the state of Ohio has given us,” Kendall said, referring to Ohio Revised Code.

Solicitor David Chamberlain said that it’s a fine line on what can and can’t be done. Making the law too restrictive can get it thrown out, he said.

Kendall said that data centers look for open land where there’s access to electricity, water and a highway. Half of the land in the township is unzoned, noted Zoning Commission Chair Jim Stang, urging trustees to look at getting the unzoned areas zoned in order to provide some regulations.

Any changes to the zoning resolution would involve a series of public hearings that would welcome citizen input, but in the meantime, Kendall suggested contacting representatives at the state level, to share opinions. He also noted that some of these state leaders might try to write the rules and eliminate local control.

“We’re trying to stay ahead of it. We need to be prepared if they walk in the door and say they purchased 2,000 acres,” Kendall said.

During the meeting, the trustees also:

-Listened to Laurie Manning of the Hylant Group speak about the Ohio Plan coverage for township vehicles, a claim on unit 88, the newest ambulance, which was hit by another driver in February, and options for replacing or repairing the squad.

-Heard that the Lucas County Engineer’s office reported that bids for resurfacing Patton and Manore roads came in four percent higher than the engineer’s estimate but is allowed. A contract with Gerken Paving for $519,102.64 was approved.

-Held a discussion with Fire Chief Richard Triggs about options for getting ambulance 88 repaired. While that is underway, insurance will cover up to $20,000 for a rental. RSVP charges $250 a day.  In addition, Triggs is investigating options for the purchase of another ambulance to replace unit 89.

-Heard a Co. Rd. 1 resident ask for input on how to deal with a neighbor who had a lot of timber taken down but not removed. Trustees advised that this is civil matter as it’s on private property, but to give the neighbor time to get it cleaned up.

-Agreed to give a Manore Road homeowner until Oct. 1 to remove a shipping container from the property. The township has already given two extensions while an accessory building is being constructed.

-Approved Christine Cox as a volunteer firefighter. She plans to begin taking classes to become an EMT.

Weekend to weekday: Goalpost stays course

By
Stephen Zenner
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(Left to right) Alex Price, Ethan Fahle, Matthew Cashin and Daniel Price of Goalpost, a '90s revival band, play their first show since the Old West End Festival at The Switchboard in downtown Toledo on Wednesday, June 10. Goalpost was the band playing during the Old West End Festival shooting on June 6, and were happy to play another show, putting distance between themselves and the shooting. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

TOLEDO – ’90s post-punk revival band, Goalpost, was sealed in by a throng of fans at The Switchboard, 912 Monroe St., on Wednesday evening, for those seeking a dreamy, nostalgic performance. 

The band said they wanted to put the shooting that happened during the Old West End Festival behind them. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“I was expecting to turn the page on the set,” said lead singer and songwriter for the band, Matthew Cashin, after their last set was interrupted by a shooting during the Old West End Festival that left 12 people injured, including friends and family of the band. 

Daniel Price, the drummer for Goalpost, plays in the band’s first show since the Old West End Festival shooting. Members of Goalpost mentioned it was important to keep playing after what happened during the festival. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

The headliner, Bellyache, performed their bass-heavy metal with a screamo vocalist, and sandwiched Goalpost in-between the opener, Falling From Grace, a late 2000s band revived this year.

Goalpost’s heavy shoegaze influence mixed up the set list, as the two bands on either side of Goalpost brought heavier metal sounds. 

But in general, Goalpost was releasing heavier things.

“We didn’t wanna dwell on what happened,” said the band’s lead guitarist, Ethan Fahle. “I think we all feel better after playing this set again.”

(Left to right) Alex Price, bass, Ethan Fahle, lead guitar, and Matthew Cashin, lead vocals and guitar. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Just a few days on from the Old West End Festival, the band wanted to keep with their scheduled performance.

“Everybody kinda’ agreed…just keep going,” Fahle said. 

(TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

And while, admittedly, there were challenges to pushing on through, each band member said they felt good about their performance, which started with Cashin telling the crowd the proceeds from the cover charge would go towards band expenses, like “Taco Bell.”

Spurious bats on the drums from Daniel Price formed the snappy energy, cutting through the scratchy wall of sound and soft vocals provided by the rest of the band. 

Before downing a beer after the show, Price jokingly said, “We’re beating off the rage,” while Alex Price, the bassist, preferred to keep her thoughts on the show private. 

Matthew Cashin, the lead singer for the 90s revival band Goalpost, and Daniel Price, the band’s drummer. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Enthusiastic praise saturated the air around the band, who played a similar set to the festival one, minus an unreleased song, “Hornet Sting,” that was interrupted the last time they played it.

Fahle commented that the turnout was especially good for a weekday, and said, “I think that’s the real important thing – the community part of it.”

“It’s really not supposed to be about us,” he said and highlighted Bellyache, Falling From Grace and the concert goers for showing up after the events of the weekend. 

(Left to right) Matthew Cashin and Ethan Fahle. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Whitehouse locks in electric aggregation rate

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Whitehouse locked in a rate for electric aggregation. Information will be sent out to qualified residents in the next few weeks. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WHITEHOUSE – After nearly a year of waiting for the right moment, the Village of Whitehouse has locked in an electric aggregation rate of 10.171 cents per kWh (kilowatt hour), Administrator Jordan Daugherty announced on June 2. 

While not much lower than the Toledo Edison June rate of 10.9992 cents per kWh, it’s still a savings – which was the goal of joining an aggregation program with the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC), said Daugherty. The rate will remain in effect for 10 months, beginning with the August 2026 meter reading and subsequent billing.

“We had a very narrow window to lock in a decent rate compared to the full standard offering,” said Daugherty. “Nobody likes higher rates. The conditions are so volatile that sometimes not getting hit so hard is a positive.”

Last year, Council held public hearings on the aggregation program to answer questions. One of the most common was, “Can I opt out?” The answer is yes. Letters will be sent to most households, with information on the program and how to opt out.

Some households and businesses may not qualify for aggregation, including those that have their own contract through the PUCO Apples-to-Apples website, those who are on a Percentage of Income Payment Plan or those who have previously told PUCO that they do not want to participate in aggregation.

“Another common question is whether eligible customers can leave or join the SOPEC program after the opt-out period,” said Council President Steve Fine, who is a member of the SOPEC board. “They can, and there’s no fee to do that. However, if a customer terminates their own contract with a supplier early, there may be a fee.”

For those who don’t opt out, SOPEC will arrange the pricing while AEP Energy will supply the electricity.

SOPEC’s default rate is for 100 percent renewable energy, Fine added. Customers will be able to choose a plan with no renewable energy and a lower rate (9.9933). SOPEC has stated that for an average household the difference in cost between the two options would be around $2.00 a month.

Founded in 2014 in Athens, Ohio, SOPEC has grown into a statewide council doing business with large communities, including Dayton and Cleveland, as well as townships, villages, libraries and parks systems. Whitehouse was the first northwest Ohio community to join SOPEC. 

Public Works Supervisor Jordan Connor and worker James Forrest finished installing the etched metal sign on a new entryway to Whitehouse Park on May 4. Funding for improvements to the park area between the pavilion and Providence Street was approved for the state capital budget. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

During the meeting, council also:

-Heard that $175,000 is in the State Capital budget – meaning it’s approved but not official until October – that will pay for renovations in the front wedge of Whitehouse Park. That area, which recently had a new limestone and steel sign added, will get landscaping, a new flagpole, streetlights, stone pavers, concrete walk and large stone planters that double as seat walls – all coordinated with the streetscaping on Providence Street. This will highlight the existing statue and cannon in the park. The cost estimate is based on doing nearly all of the work, except irrigation and concrete, in-house, Daugherty said.

Funding for improvements to the front of Whitehouse Park – shown in this rendering from the Edge Group – is in the state capital budget. (Courtesy rendering)

-Heard that Safety Town will be held at Whitehouse Primary School the week of June 22 with graduation on June 26.

-Learned that work on Cemetery Road will begin July 6 and last about two weeks.

-Thanked Dave Beakas for his service with the fire department. Fire Chief Jason Francis also reported that Spencer Wilkerson passed his paramedic exam, giving the department a total of 19 paramedics. 

-Encouraged residents to attend the June 11-13 Cherry Fest and Founders Day celebration on July 2.

-Noted that council will not have a meeting on June 16.

-Heard Council Member Louann Artiaga ask about looking into lighting for the 50 parking spots along the bike trail and about the layout of the parking next to the Buzz Diner, as one spot would require backing up into Providence Street to exit.

DEWESoft camp puts students in driver’s seat

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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A student in the DEWESoft USA three-day camp takes a go-kart for a test drive, later checking the results of sensors on the kart. (Courtesy photo)

WHITEHOUSE – A dozen students had an opportunity to test drive a career field that blends engineering, science and technology, during a three-day camp at DEWESoft USA – a world-class provider of data acquisition (DAQ) systems, based in Whitehouse.

The camp gave students an opportunity to see the day in the life of a test engineer, said Dave Gallop, director of training for DEWESoft USA. 

“We wanted to demonstrate how fulfilling a life in these fields can be. The majority of scientists and engineers start with curiosity,” he said.

DEWESoft USA in Whitehouse hosted a three-day camp to introduce students to data acquisition systems, science and engineering careers. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Gallop’s presentation on the history of measurement was particularly interesting to Anthony Wayne High School senior Ryan Parker, who noted that thousands of years ago the Japanese were using a seismic measuring device that looked like a large bowl.

“The act of measuring has been longstanding throughout human history,” said Parker, who signed up for the camp to learn more about DAQ and career opportunities.

DAQ samples signals that measure real-world phenomena and converts them into a digital form that can be used to develop innovative hardware and software solutions used across industries globally, including automotive, aerospace, defense and power.

Looking out on a test track behind DEWESoft’s Logan Street headquarters, Parker watched as a group of campers prepared to drive go-karts wired with DEWESoft measuring devices – for vibrations, speed and temperature – through a bumpy course. The goal: to see who could finish the course and spill the least amount of water from a cup in a holder near the driver.

“They’ll collect data from all of the sensors on the kart and do an analysis of the data to see how the cart performed and see if there’s any improvements they could suggest on the carts,” said Owen Maginity, a DEWESoft application engineer working at the camp. 

The camp was the first for DEWESoft, which tailored the program for both high school and college students who are interested in engineering, science and technology. DEWESoft purchased the go-karts and installed many of the sensors ahead of time, but had the students help with final instrumentation.

“We walked them through installing some of the basic sensors and how to diagnose and troubleshoot any issues. We knew some issues existed, and left them for the students to discover,” Maginity said. “That’s the reality of test engineering – it never goes to plan. Now we’re having them execute the testing on the durability course.”

The 12 high school and college students attending a three-day camp gather around go-karts near a test track at DEWESoft USA’s Whitehouse headquarters. (Courtesy photo)

Before hitting the course – modeled after some of the proving grounds used by big automotive manufacturers –  students also tested out the go-karts’ brakes by rapidly accelerating and braking on asphalt and gravel, to get an idea of reaction time, said Academy Coordinator Selena Hooks.

Wearing helmets and seatbelts, the students then took turns on the dirt course, usually following Magnity’s advice to aim for a smooth and consistent speed. That’s what he learned after rolling one of the karts during a test run.

The camp was led by DEWESoft employees including, standing (from left) Jake Skaff, Hayden Fox and Simon Born and, kneeling, Owen Maginity. (Courtesy photo)

“We’re having them drive the course, collect data from all the sensors on the car, and do an analysis of the data to see how the cart performed, how the comfort was, and see if there were any improvements they could suggest.”

Parker noted that some of the results gave the students insight on all of the factors that need to be measured.

“We looked at technical aspects, like turning and strain on certain pieces. It shows that certain outside forces, like temperature, can impact your results,” Parker said.

While Parker said he’s often thought about engineering in terms of building and design, he can now see how data acquisition dovetails into the design of products in a number of industries. He was surprised to see the number of big companies, including SpaceX and Ford that utilize DEWESoft.

Measuring the success of the camp was easy, based on the enthusiasm and questions from students, said Hooks.

“For the first go-round, it’s been off the scale. We’ve had talented students here that really have exceeded our expectations,” she added.

For more information, visit dewesoftusa.com.

Starburst Sculpture dedicated to Shousher family 

By
Rachel Boes
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Hussein, son of John and Emney Shousher, speaks at a dedication in Glass City Metropark. (Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo)

TOLEDO – The family and friends of the late Yehia Hussein “John” and Emney Shousher gathered on June 5 at a recently opened party patio on the Maumee to recognize the sculpture, “Starburst,” dedicated in their honor. Refreshments were served as the guests enjoyed conversation before the dedication ceremony began. The event was accompanied by warm notes of acoustic, traditional Lebanese music played by a trio, complete with an oud. 

The gathering was hosted at the “Starburst” sculpture location in International Cove, a piece of the Glass City Metroparks Riverwalk at The Docks. The Riverwalk project is celebrating its 50 percent goal marker as Watershed Week kicked off, running until the 14th. The June 5 dedication was the first private event to begin the celebration, which is fitting considering the legacy of the Shousher family. 

Ribbon cutting unveiling the “Starburst” sculpture in Glass City Metropark. (Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo)

John Shousher “was a community leader in every sense of the word,” said Metroparks Toledo Director, Public Relations, Scott Carpenter. Shousher was a business man who helped to establish essential organizations like the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, Toledo’s first Mosque and more. Regarded as a man with great wisdom and a servant’s heart, he acted as an ambassador to the Islamic community and a bridge across cultures, maintaining friendships with rabbis and mayors alike. His wife, Emney, always stood beside him with endless support and kindness. She worked to bring their dreams to life, striving to cultivate spaces where all could visit and feel welcomed. 

Many of their life’s themes are woven into “Starburst” and the area itself. Having worked to develop the river in volunteer board roles and business development efforts for over 40 years.

The sculpture, Riverwalk development, and dedication itself are the combined effort of Metroparks Toledo, The Arts Commission, and the Shousher family. The Arts Commission and Metroparks Toledo having established their relationship in previous projects intended to engage and serve areas of the city that have not received proper funding and attention, such as the East Side and the Vistula neighborhood. 

The sculpture is raised on platforms that allow visitors to walk under it, standing at the center of Riverwalk paths. Looking under the sculpture allows the viewer to better see the collage of words that were selected by the community. 

(Courtesy of Metroparks Toledo)

Toledo Design Collective started the event intending to collect neighborhood feedback on the construction of the park and artwork. They worked with MidStory, as well as a couple other partners in creating a space to gather words describing these immediate areas by the residents. They also conducted interviews with folks like the Shousher family. Blessing was involved in the process. 

Blessing, an artist known for standing community-based sculptures around the world, was selected as part of a previous application to another interactive sculpture project headed by The Arts Commission, “Field of Histories.” A few feet from “Starburst,” the exhibit consists of glass globes encased in chrome pedestals, containing pieces of Toledo history donated by residents. 

“We’ve really paid homage to ‘international,'” said Nathan Mattimoe, Director of Art in Public Places at The Arts Commission, who worked with these groups and sculpture artist Blessing Hancock to bring this project to life. “The original intention of international parks was to reflect on the many international connections Toledo has, including the many people who came from numerous countries to make up neighborhoods in our city.” The event produced many words that were narrowed down before being added, with the main qualifier being that the words must be translatable in all of the selected languages. 

“This [sculpture] is going to be a really important centerpiece of the park; it’s going to be important for the community, but it’s especially important to the folks that folks gathered here tonight, because this was done by the Shousher family in honor of John Shousher, who knew so many people and meant a lot to so many people,” Carpenter said.

The dedication event was a beautiful and wholistic celebration with folks from all backgrounds. It was truly a reflection of the dreams the Shousher family always pushed for.

“This is an example of John’s legacy and how his family continues to give back to the community,” added Carpenter. “I’m sure he would be proud.”

Two volunteer firefighters to lead Cherry Fest Parade

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Tom Vincent and Richard Snyder both retired after 31 years of volunteering with the Whitehouse Fire Department. They will serve as the grand marshals in the Cherry Fest parade, which steps off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WHITEHOUSE – When Richard Snyder and Tom Vincent ride in a ladder truck at the front of the Cherry Fest parade as grand marshals on June 13, the two longtime volunteer firefighters will represent not just themselves, but all of the men and women who have volunteered throughout Whitehouse Fire Department’s 130-year history.

“Neither of us have done this for the glory. It’s basically for the love of the community,” said Snyder, whose 43-year firefighting career included 31 years as a volunteer first responder with Whitehouse. 

Vincent, a retired physical education, science and health teacher, joined the department as a volunteer in 1995, shortly before Snyder, and retired after serving as a firefighter/EMT for 31 years.

“To me it was very interesting. I’m a person who looks for the next adventure. I’ve had a lot of great opportunities over the years,” Vincent said of his experience as a volunteer.

For Snyder, joining the fire service was a continuation of a family tradition. His grandfather, Lawrence Swick, was one of the founders of the Neapolis Fire Department in the early 1950s. A few years later, his father Robert joined. Snyder has fond memories of sitting atop a fire truck and watching the parade of trucks during the Northwest Ohio Volunteer Firemen’s Convention, and attending other events with his family.

“I’m third generation,” said Snyder, who joined after graduating from Anthony Wayne High School in 1982.

Snyder stayed with the department as it changed names to Providence Township Fire and Rescue, then joined Whitehouse in 1995 when he and his wife – 1981 AW graduate Chris – moved to the village. He brought with him experience from his full-time job as a state firefighter with the 180th fire department, a position he held for 31 years before retiring as a lieutenant in 2021.

Continuing to volunteer with Whitehouse even after retiring from the base allowed him to use his experience to help the community.

“I was the last captain on the volunteer side,” said Snyder, who retired in January 2026. As an officer, he often served as a liaison between the department staff and volunteers.

Vincent said he appreciated Snyder’s ability to explain all facets of the fire service in a way that’s easy to understand.

Growing up on the East Side, Vincent graduated from Cardinal Stritch High School and served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. The first in his family to graduate from college, Vincent earned a degree in education and began teaching physical education, science and health at Franklin Elementary. That was the beginning of a 35-year career with Toledo Public Schools, during which time he also earned his master’s degree.

“I never left the eighth grade,” he joked.

In addition to teaching, Vincent coached at the junior high and high school levels, including football, baseball, soccer, track and cross country for the now-closed DeVilbiss High School.

Early in his career, he worked for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad at the coal docks, unloading ore carriers and loading coal onto lake freighters – including the famed SS Edmund Fitzgerald that sank in a storm in 1975.

“I started at the coal docks in 1966,” Vincent said. “I’ve been at the bottom of the Edmund Fitzgerald pulling ore away from the sides and loading coal. When the Fitz came in, you knew you were going to be there all night if you were a shoveler.”

While he and his wife, Debra, had lived in Toledo most of their lives, it was during an extended house-hunting search that they came across their new home and community. They moved to Whitehouse in December 1991, and a few years later, a neighbor suggested he look into volunteering at the fire department.

“I had no fire experience at all,” he said. “To me it was very interesting. I’m a person who looks for the next adventure. I’ve had a lot of great opportunities over the years.”

With regular training, plus opportunities to take specialized classes, Vincent earned his EMT certification in addition to becoming a firefighter.

Both found a family within the Whitehouse Fire Department, they agreed.

When Snyder and his wife moved from Neapolis to Whitehouse in 1995, a team of fellow volunteers showed up one Saturday morning to help put on new roof.

“I didn’t even ask. Someone asked me if I was working on my roof, and the next morning, six to eight people showed up,” Snyder said.

It was the people that have made the difference in being a volunteer firefighter, Vincent agrees.

“The camaraderie was just super. It was a unique group and it was tight knit and if you needed help you just asked,” he said.

Both men say they’ve witnessed a big change in the fire service, as departments in bedroom communities like Whitehouse struggled to find enough volunteers to cover shifts. More families are busy with children in multiple sports and travel teams, so giving up evenings and weekends to volunteer became a challenge. As the department transitioned to hiring full-time staff, the volunteers continued to fill in for empty shifts due to vacations or illness, and to help out at special events, like Cherry Fest.

This weekend, in between riding in the parade, they’ll help out with the Whitehouse Fire Company’s 73rd annual Chicken BBQ on Saturday from noon until the chickens are gone. The secret recipe for the chicken came from former chief Kenny Rupp‘s in-laws, who ran Vollmar’s Park.

For the two long-time volunteers, retirement will bring new adventures. The Snyders will hit the road in an RV and travel, and Rich is looking forward to not missing family gatherings due to work. Vincent often watches his grandkids, will continue to offer science lessons monthly in Whitehouse Primary School to kindergarteners, and hopes to convince his wife to get an e-bike so they can ride together. And rail or train travel is also on his bucket list.

The parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, leaving from Oakbrook Drive and traveling east on Waterville, then north on Providence.

Neighborhood Bridges rep speaks to Monclova Township

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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The Anthony Wayne Neighborhood Bridges team includes Amy Barrett, Anne Stevens and Rebekah Hrcka. Stevens shared news of the nonprofit organization during the June 1 Monclova Township Board of Trustees' meeting. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

MONCLOVA TOWNSHIP – The community is bridging the gap for students in need, including in Monclova Township, Anthony Wayne Neighborhood Bridges’ Co-Director Anne Stevens told the audience attending the June 1 Monclova Township trustees’ meeting.

Launched in 2023, the nonprofit, led by Stevens and Amy Barrett, receives support from a steering committee that includes representatives from every AW community – including Kathleen Kuns, the township’s administrative assistant. 

Last year, Bridges filled 160 needs for students – everything from coats, shoes and band uniforms to a water heater, furnace, and restarting utilities, Stevens said. And this is all provided by community members who donate.

“We’re trying to level the playing field for kids, so they can gain an education without battling insecurities,” she said, explaining that students are unable to focus at school, for example, if they’re not sleeping well due to lack of a bed or other necessities.

Teachers, counselors, clergy and the school resource officer report perceived needs to District Social Worker Rebekah Hrcka, who then verifies that those needs are real. Hrcka sees if any agencies can help first, then contacts Barrett and Stevens to seek support from the community.

“I know we don’t think there are needs in the Anthony Wayne district, but the needs are amazing,” Stevens said. “When Amy and I started this, we thought we’d be getting coats and boots. At this point, we have gotten hot water heaters and furnaces, paid for [preventing] eviction, restarted utilities and repaired a mobile home that had no floor.”

Those needs are shared with Neighborhood Bridge’s 735 local subscribers, who are notified with one email, sent at 10:02 a.m. Often those needs are met by donors within hours of the email, Stevens said. Directions on how to donate anonymously are shared through the email.

“This is all done confidentially. No one knows who these people are,” Stevens said. “We’ve dealt with helping when utility bills are in the thousands and they don’t have water. We work with the utilities to get the amounts down. Neighborhood Bridges is an emergency relief, not something that will pay the rent every month.

“This has grown so much. It’s been such a blessing to be able to work with Neighborhood Bridges,” she said. “Our mission is to bridge the gap with the community and schools.”

Neighborhood Bridges also has a weekend food bag program in which volunteers get together weekly to pack snacks and other basic food for students to have when they’re not at school receiving a breakfast or lunch. Last December, the group also served 140 students with needed items on a wish list, such as clothing, for a special holiday drive. Recently, Neighborhood Bridges opened General’s Place at Waterville Community Church, which offers cleaning supplies, toiletries and other items not typically available from a food pantry.

AW Neighborhood Bridges receives support from throughout the community, who host collection drives and make donations.

“The AW district is taking care of its people,” she said.

For information, visit neighborhoodbridges.org.

During the meeting, the trustees also:

-Heard an update from Administrator Michael Hampton on the roundabout at Albon and Monclova roads. After the meeting, he learned that construction is delayed until Monday, June 15. 

-Approved a $1,200 a month maintenance agreement with TrioTech to provide services ranging from emails to cybersecurity to replacing hardware. 

-Approved to upgrade the technology in the public meeting room by hiring TrioTech for $3,172 and Design Entertainment at $11,935.93 to upgrade the system. 

-Approved the purchase of a 2026 Horton ambulance for $402,852 to replace Medic 93.

-Heard that the Lucas County Engineer is in favor of holding informational meetings at the township hall to answer questions about the ditch petition process.

-Thanked road superintendent and maintenance supervisor Doug Holland for quickly getting someone on scene to handle a grinder pump failure that resulted in a sanitary sewer backup in the fire department bays.

-Set a public hearing for Monday, June 15 at 5:30 p.m. to hear comments about four proposed zoning text amendments that were reviewed May 26 by the township zoning commission – and the Lucas County Planning Commission in the weeks prior. Resident John Langevin expressed concern that the Ohio Revised Code was violated in the timing of those meetings, and provided documentation for the trustees and law director to review.

-Approved increasing the pay for Ryan Grant, the fire prevention officer, by 3 percent.

-Offered the position of assistant fiscal officer to Claire Evans, who has a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Cincinnati, for $50,000 a year.

Multifaith coalition organizes gun buyback event

By
Laurie Bertke
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Sherin Henly of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America speaks at a remembrance ceremony in Toledo June 5 to mark Gun Violence Awareness Day. The organization is helping coordinate a gun buyback event on June 13 in Toledo. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)

Dismantled firearms to be turned into art and garden tools

TOLEDO — Area residents are invited to safely dispose of unwanted firearms June 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a drive-through event hosted by Monroe Street United Methodist Church.

Organized by the Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence and other partners, the event gives community members a secure and responsible way to remove unwanted guns from their homes. Trained staff will handle the disposal of firearms on site, with guns to be dismantled by chop saws or melted down in forges.

Disarmory Ministries, a nonprofit based in Berkley, Mich., is providing technical assistance for the event. Once the guns are dismantled by chop saws, volunteers will be creating artwork on site by reassembling the parts into peace signs or words such as “peace,” “hope” or “love.”  

Rev Meribah Mansfield of Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence speaks June 5 at a remembrance ceremony for victims of gun violence in Toledo. The coalition has organized a gun buyback event for June 13 in Toledo. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)

Pastor Joel Shenk of Toledo Mennonite Church and Rev. Rosalind Hughes of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio will also be at the event using mobile forges to melt down gun parts and create garden tools in connection with the national Guns to Gardens movement. The concept draws inspiration from the biblical passage in Isaiah 2:4 that describes beating “swords into ploughshares” and “spears into pruning-hooks.”

Gun owners are asked to ensure firearms are unloaded and secured in the back of their vehicles as they drive through the line. When they exit, they are eligible to receive a gift card for Meijer or Kroger in the following amounts, at a maximum of $300 per person:

  • $50 for long guns
  • $100 for handguns
  • $200 for assault-style rifles

Free gun locks and information about safely storing firearms will also be available from the Toledo chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Other partners include Northwest Ohio Parents of Murdered Children and Sisters 4 Unity, a local support group for mothers who have lost children to gun violence. A grant from Cities United, a fund of Tides Center, provided support for the event.

Mike Linehan and Rev. Meribah Mansfield co-founded the Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence three years ago. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)

Sherin Henley, lead survivor for Moms Demand Action, said many young people have become desensitized to seeing guns and even gravitate toward them. “It’s very concerning. It’s an uphill battle, but someone has to fight it,” said Henley. Her son, Darrin Smith Jr., was killed at 20 years old after he stood up to a young man who was shooting a gun in the neighborhood. 

“So I picked up that torch. I stand on the hill for fighting gun violence,” said Henley. “If my son can do it, I can do it.”

Approximately 40 volunteers from at least 10 local faith communities are expected on Saturday, according to Rev. Meribah Mansfield, a deacon at Trinity Episcopal Church in Toledo and co-founder of the Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence.

The Coalition is a grassroots network of more than 30 faith communities across northwest Ohio working together to promote education, awareness and action around gun violence prevention. 

Rev. Mansfield founded the coalition three years ago with Mike Linehan, a layperson from Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania. While marching in the Old West End Festival parade with members of Moms Demand Action and representatives from other faith communities, the two realized that many churches already have gun violence task forces in place and thought it made sense to coordinate their efforts. 

“Reducing preventable harm bridges across all faiths,” said Linehan. 

The coalition has hosted educational forums at churches and built a mailing list with more than 200 people that shares information about local events. They collaborate on the issue with other organizations including the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE).

Linehan said the group is not anti-gun, but rather is focused on getting unwanted firearms off the street and out of homes. “It’s about creating a safer community,” he said.

“It’s also about raising awareness about gun safety and gun violence prevention,” added Rev. Meribah.

Toledo City Councilman George Sarantou holds a resolution declaring June 2026 Gun Violence Awareness Month during a remembrance ceremony for victims of gun violence on June 5. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)

Saturday’s event coincides with Gun Violence Awareness Month. Other related upcoming events include:

  • Gun Violence Prevention panel at the Main Library on Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 p.m. featuring speakers about the impacts of gun violence and how to get involved to be a part of the solution. 
  • Cease Fire event at the Glass City Picnic Pavilion on Thursday, July 2 from 2 to 6 p.m., a community barbeque and peace-building event planned by the MONSE Save Our Community program. 
  • Save Our Community is hosting summer outreach barbecues focused on violence prevention, youth engagement and summer activities from 12-5 p.m. on June 10 at Willys Park, June 14 at Wilson Park, June 23 at Navarre Park, July 28 at Roosevelt Park and Aug. 5 at Jamie Farr Splash Pad. 

In addition, Toledo City Council has partnered with the Toledo Lucas County Public Library to hand out free cable gun locks at all branch locations. According to the Locks Save Lives initiative, safe firearm storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidental shootings, youth access to firearms and gun theft. Library patrons can request up to two free gun locks. 


Toledo City Councilwoman Erin Kramer speaks at a remembrance ceremony for victims of gun violence in Toledo June 5 to mark National Gun Violence Awareness Day. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)
Aviance Hill of Northwest Ohio Parents of Murdered Children speaks at a remembrance ceremony for victims of gun violence June 5, which was Gun Violence Awareness Day. (TFP photo by Laurie Bertke)

Swanton Township rolls out new website

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Swanton Township fiscal officer Mindy Curry and trustees Bill Anderson, Matt Beil and Mike Nowicki, discussed the rollout of the new website, http://swantontownshipoh.gov. The trustees and committee members will also have new emails, listed on the site, that have a .gov domain. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

SWANTON TOWNSHIP – Swanton Township’s website and email domain has switched from .org to .gov., Trustee Matt Beil announced during the June 1 meeting.

The new website will be swantontownshipoh.gov, which is more secure and gives people more confidence that the site is a government entity, he said. 

The site will have a sign-up for a texting feature that will allow residents to receive text messages regarding meetings, special events, safety issues and road closures, Beil said. 

“We want to be transparent and communicate fully,” said Beil, asking Fiscal Officer Mindy Curry about sending post cards to send to all residents to notify them of the change. “We want to provide as many options for notice as practical.” 

The website re-design was suggested and recommended by the board to make the site more in line with current standards, such as ADA requirements, and to allow the board to make daily changes to the site, he said. A webmaster will be contracted for reviews and ADA compliance, he added. 

The township has also implemented steps to become compliant with Ohio House Bill 96, which outlines steps for local governments to address cybersecurity. FalconForge AI is preparing the township to be compliant by July 1, while TrioTech of Whitehouse will manage IT on an ongoing basis. The township will continue to undergo mandatory training for cybersecurity throughout the coming months.

During the June 1 meeting, the trustees also:

-Agreed to look into offering a bulk drop-off for larger refuse items by having dumpsters placed somewhere in the township for a day. The rate quoted to Beil was $500 per rolloff per day. He will look into other quotes and possible days to offer that service and announce it on the website and Facebook pages.

-Held a public hearing on the 2027 budget that Curry will submit to the county auditor. Residents, including Colleen Baird, asked about some changes she noticed in the funds from one year to the next. Curry explained that she worked with the state auditor to make sure funds were assigned to the correct fund, such as placing the garbage fees in the General Fund not the Roads and Bridges Fund as it was previously. Curry noted that the state auditor does not review the full budget, but just a sample, when doing an audit of the books – someone one resident pointed out was disconcerting. 

-Heard that work on a roundabout at Providence-Neapolis-Swanton and Archbold-Whitehouse is set to start on Monday, June 15 with a 45-day closure. The start date of a roundabout at Monclova and Wilkins has not yet been set.

-Listened to Springfield Fire Chief Jonathon Ziehr say that the department responded to 13 calls for service in the northern half of the township in May, including two fire-related incidents and 11 EMS. The department has undergone training at the Baymont Inn in Spring Meadows, which is set to be demolished. Crews trained with breaching doors and walls, search and rescue and other exercises. 

-Heard a resident ask Ziehr about training with the railyard, in light of a 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio that led to the spill of hazardous chemicals. Ziehr said that as a result of that incident, all departments now train continuously. Norfolk Southern offers local training and railyard training in Texas. Ziehr made the railroad aware of issues with rail cars that were filled with coal and sitting in the local railyard. If the stock is not being rotated as needed, this can pose a fire risk. Since his discussion with Norfolk Southern, changes have been made to lessen that risk, he said.

-Discussed a need to chip and seal Sager Road and the east side of Reed Road.

-Learned that Interstate Capital acquired 15 parcels totaling 112 acres in the Land-Air Commerce Park and is interested in changing the zoning. The township zoning board is requesting that the rezoning be done for each of the parcels rather than as a whole. 

-Heard that Zoning Inspector Ben Mooney is working with the owner of 12565 Airport Hwy. to address issues.

-Learned that a ditch near Brindley Road is washing out the pavement and undermining the integrity. Trustee Bill Anderson is working with the county to come up with mitigation solutions. One resident asked whether Brindley was a village property – a matter that Anderson will check with the county.

-Approved policies that require the township zoning board and Board of Zoning Appeals to post any public hearings or meeting dates 24 hours in advance online and on Facebook, as well as a posting at the township hall.

-Discussed how none of the members of the BZA have responded to requests to see if they are still interested in serving on the board. The terms are five years and the BZA has not met in several years. The BZA will now be required to meet every January in an organizational meeting. Mike Nowicki said he will try to contact the members via letter.

-Heard a resident ask that the crews mowing the cemetery look out for the poles holding flags for military veterans, as she noticed some that were bent.

-Learned that Mooney is beginning the process to update the township zoning resolution to bring it up to standards. It was last updated in 2008.

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